Topsy

[t-o-p-s-y]

As an ad on I forgot to mention that I'm 76 and I want to know if anyone takes flecanide on a daily basis.

[t-o-p-s-y]

Thank you for replying. I don't have it all the time but get it at the most unexpected times and it interferes with my daily obligations. I just wish I could take a medication every day to control it.

[Finvola]

I take Flecainide 2 x 100mg daily and have done so for over 3 years, without having any episodes of AF. It is usual to take something like Bisoprolol with Flecainide - my dose is only 1.25mg. I haven't had an ablation and have had PAF for about 10 or 11 years - I'm now 73.

Episodes of AF used to interfere with my life and I count Flecainide as a friend in giving me back a good quality of life. Talk to your cardiologist and explain your wish to try to prevent the episodes occurring rather than stopping them once they have started. Best wishes.

[t-o-p-s-y in reply to Finvola]

Thank you Finvola, I'm seeing my GP today and will ask her to ring my cardiologist about this.

[F-M-C-MM in reply to Finvola]

You are extremely lucky not to have had side effects while on Flecainide. It can be proarrythmic and cause long QT syndrome. Try it but if it dosent work don't persist with it as you will end up having an ablation, which was my outcome after trying different doses of it. That said it's very successful for some so you should gve it a go at least.

[Hidden in reply to Finvola]

Hi Finvola. I'm not in any way qualified, and I'm pleased and impressed that Flec is working so well for you, but have you had any thoughts about testing out reducing your dose now that you seem to have your af controlled? I read that the idea was to find the lowest dose that controlled the problem, so it could be worth considering. Then again, I can see why you might be reluctant to change something that obviously works. Just a thought

[Finvola in reply to Hidden]

Hi Minimalist - Yes, I was (and still am) very keen to take the lowest possible dose and about 18 months ago I tried twice, with EP's approval, to reduce - hoping to get to 2 x 50mg but the arrhythmias were too debilitating and both EP and cardiologist advised me to stay on 2 x 100mg. The second time I reduced to 2 x 75mg but it wasn't enough to keep things stable.

Que sera, sera - I see my cardiologist every six months and he keeps a careful eye on my ECG's. As F-M-C-MM points out, Flecainide can lengthen QT interval and is unsuitable for some people, so i do feel fortunate at the moment - anything being better than uncontrolled PAF, I suppose.

[Hidden in reply to Finvola]

Quite right. Looks like I'll be heading that way soon, especially since the rumours of ablation dropping off the nhs menu... Best wishes.

[Bagrat]

Im 73and was on 100mg twice a day for 5 years. My dose is now 50mg twice a day for the ladt year and no AF just some evening time ectopics. Can't take beta blockets as slows my pulse too much.

[Finvola in reply to Bagrat]

Good news, Bagrat - long may you stay stable on the small dose.

[Sportfix]

Hi Topsy! Yes, I am on Flecainide ( 100mgs twice a day) and also I’m taking 2.5mgs Bisoprolol once a day, plus Rivaroxaban. I suddenly started atrial flutter/ fibrilation just over a year ago. Had an ablation + cardioversion last September & EP said I had some other electrical issues on my left side so wld probably need a 3D mapping ablation next. Have been exercising( gym, pilates, swimming & cycling) for last 25yrs +. So annoying to have this problem.....Anyway, at my last 6month check-up with my EP he said my afib was back. Had a cardioversion last Christmas cos they couldn’t get an app for me to have the 3D mapping because of the time of year. Felt ok but at my last 6mnth check I had arryrhmia again. Have an appointment for the 3D mapping one on 24th October. I keep waking in the middle of the night with cold sweats about that, but that’s just me. But, about the Flecainide.......I have had some symptoms of breathlessness & tiredness which I’ve read on healthunlocked, are pretty usual symptoms with Bisoprolol. I get some unusually vivid dreams and I felt that my hair was going a bit thinner. My EP changed my Bisoprolol to Diltiazem but I had worse side effects with that and after 10 days I stopped it. The only benefit of Diltiazem was that I seemed not have the breathlessness. Stayed on just Flecainide & Rivaroxaban for a couple of days but felt my arrhythmia returning so I went back to taking the Bisoprolol again. Watching my hair closely and now I have that breathlessness back. EP says there’s a 60/70 percent chance that he can fix my problem this time so keeping fingers crossed. I am 67 and female by the way. Hope Flecainide works well for you. Tell us how you progress. Loads of luck.🍀🙂